Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), has been hit with a three-year ban from all football-related activities by FIFA following a controversial incident that occurred on August 20, 2023, during the medal ceremony of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

During the ceremony, while serving as the RFEF president, Rubiales kissed Spanish national team player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips, which subsequently sparked a major controversy.’

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Furthermore, before the kiss, Rubiales had made a suggestive gesture by touching his genitals in the VIP box, which was captured on camera and widely circulated on social media.

In an official statement, FIFA stated, “The FIFA disciplinary committee has banned Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF), from all football-related activities at national and international levels for three years.”

Rubiales was notified of the decision on Monday and has a 10-day window to request a “motivated decision,” which, if requested, will be published on FIFA’s legal website.

FIFA emphasized, “The decision remains subject to a possible appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee, reiterating its absolute commitment to respecting and protecting the integrity of all people and ensuring that the basic rules of decent conduct are upheld.”

Jennifer Hermoso, the player involved, expressed that the incident made her feel “vulnerable and like the victim of an assault.”

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She described it as “an impulsive, macho act, out of place and with no type of consent on my part.”

Luis Rubiales, who maintained that the kiss was consensual, subsequently resigned as the head of the Spanish football federation in September.